Plastics|SA hosted its 2016 AGM in Midrand on 16 November to conclude the year’s activities. At the event, Plastics|SA chairman, Bernhard Mahl highlighted the importance of innovation in the industry. He challenged attendees to get out of a survival mind set and into one of growth through a conscious commitment to innovation.

‘We must push ourselves to find innovative solutions for the African environment,” he said. ‘Plastics|SA has managed to reach many of the strategic objectives we set out to achieve.’

There was a 6.4 percent growth in virgin material consumption which reached 1 490 000 tonnes per annum. Additionally, there was a three percent increase in the amount of plastics recycled. These increases allow the local plastics industry to divert approximately 310 600 tonnes of plastics per annum from landfill.

Mahl denoted that the South African plastics industry, though on par with country’s GDP, had not recorded ‘real’ growth over the past five to 10 years. ‘This is still far below the average plastics growth of three percent worldwide,’ he indicated.

Taking the podium, Plastics|SA executive director, Anton Hanekom, confirmed that the local plastics value chain is well developed. It caters to both local demand and export markets.

He said the biggest markets for the year continued to be the packaging, building and construction and automotive industries.